Culture Aftershock

by jtrue

A sequel to Culture Shock. Emmett McCarty's Emirati partner Nasir has a new job and a green card, but will their lives together be as easy as they think? And what will happen to Seth and Garrett? SLASH LEMONS MA

13. Chapter 13

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

So it was my original intention to post this last weekend, but I wanted you all to savor Errors 54 as much as I did.

My darling Liz, I get to see you tomorrow and I can't wait! I only wish Miss Maureen could be with us. Thank you, dear sister, for your help with Edward in this chapter as well.

Anyone who has not read the incredible Equal & Opposite, or is not now reading the brilliance that is Errors & Omissions should go do so right now. Links to both stories are in my profile.

WARNING:

This story is intended for an adult audience! There is crude speech, hate speech and adult sexual subject matter of a homosexual nature. If you are under 18 stop reading now!

AU/AH/OC

All characters from Twilight belong to Stephenie Meyer. I just take them out and play with them.

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Chapter 13: Day with the Boys

Friday
(Wedding Minus One Day)

Edward was early. He had come straight from SeaTac as there was no reason to go to his home now. He had everything he needed in the car. Edward drove up to the front entrance of the Sorrento Hotel and let the valet take the Audi Q5 as he followed the bellman into the lobby. It had always been his and Jasper's intention to spend the night before and after Emmett and Nasir's wedding here in the hotel, like most everyone else. Edward just never imagined he would be checking in this early.

Or alone.

The original plan had been that he and Jasper would arrive at the hotel at eleven for Seth's wedding party secret relaxation event, whatever that turned out to be. They had a little bag ready for that with bathing suits and flip flops. They figured they would check in after that event and relax before the dinner at Seth and Garrett's that evening. There was certainly no reason to go back to Covington.

But that plan was now blown all to hell. Edward was in the city early and alone. He was devastated to be parted from the love of his life, now more than ever, but he fully understood and agreed with the reason that took Jasper from him early. And he knew Jasper would have to go back to New York in a few days anyway. It was selfish and he did so secretly, but he mourned any lost minutes holding Jasper in his arms, gazing into Jasper's beautiful blue eyes, just having Jasper by his side at all.

Edward walked to reception in the jeans that Jasper had picked out for him in Chicago, that fit him more snugly than any other pair he owned. He chose to believe the fact that Jasper really liked these jeans on him had no bearing whatever on his decision to wear these when he pulled them on so early this morning. He also wore an olive henley with the long sleeves scrunched up to his elbows.

"Good morning, sir. Checking out?" the smiling Asian woman at the Front Desk asked.

"Checking in actually. I know I might be a bit early for that," Edward pulled out his wallet.

"In that case, welcome to the Sorrento. And let's just check. What is the name?" she asked.

"Cullen," Edward placed his driver's license and credit card on the desk.

"I do have your reservation here. You're part of the wedding group," she read her screen.

"One of the groomsmen," Edward stated.

"Oh, very nice," she smiled. "I have you in a junior suite, Mr. Cullen. Your room is actually not ready, however, if you don't mind being moved, I can get you in another junior suite now. We had all the wedding group rooms together, you see."

"That's fine. It doesn't matter," Edward agreed.

"It's just going to be one floor up," the helpful clerk explained.

"I want you to find the reservation for Troy Akana and Zachary Gilbert, and use my credit card as the form of payment for their room as well. Upgrade them to a junior suite too, and if you can place them near me, that would be great," Edward instructed.

"I do have them right here. I'll just swipe your card through on their room also. Now give me just a moment to reassign them to a junior suite right across the hall from yours," she read the two male names and thought to make sure. "These should be rooms with one king, is that right, Mr. Cullen?"

"Yes, they should all be kings," Edward confirmed.

"And is Mr. Whitlock checking in now as well?" she queried.

"Mr. Whitlock will not be joining me after all," Edward fought to keep the disappointment from his voice.

"Very well, sir. Just give me another moment and I'll have your key ready. Would you like me to check in Mr. Akana and Mr. Gilbert now as well, since you're paying? All they will have to do when they arrive is show ID and pick up a room key."

"Good idea. Thank you," Edward nodded. He waited only another moment while she worked and then she handed his room key packet to the waiting bellman.

The spacious junior suite on the fifth floor overlooking Madison had a large sitting area with sofa and chairs and even a good sized desk. It was a very well appointed room in this luxury hotel and it instantly pained him that he could not share it with Jasper. His mind went back a few years to the night he spent in this hotel with Simon. That had been just a deluxe room, not nearly as big as this one, but equally well appointed. It brought a frown to Edward's face as he realized that his most pleasant memory to date at the Sorrento Hotel involved Simon, a nice enough kid, but one who meant nothing to him. If Jasper were here with him now, they would be making their own new and better memories together, and Simon would have never entered Edward's mind.

Edward left his luggage on the rack where the bellman placed it. He took the small bag that he and Jasper had made ready according to Seth's instructions and headed down to the lobby to wait. As it turned out, the wait was not long. Edward selected a seat at the edge of the Fireside Room where he could watch the lobby and front entrance of the hotel. When he saw them, as ever, they brought a smile to his face. Edward thought he had seen a pale green Kia Soul through the front doors. Then Troy and Zack walked into the hotel together. They were both dressed casually in shorts and long sleeved tee shirts. Zack pulled their suitcase, while Troy wore a backpack. As soon as Edward stood up, they spotted him.

"Gem!" Troy dashed across the lobby into Edward's arms.

"Hey, Leo," Edward embraced the smaller and younger man tightly. Zack wheeled the big suitcase over to his partner and Edward.

"It's always good to see my little brothers," Edward let go of Troy and wrapped his arms around the taller young man.

"You too, Edward," Zack always enjoyed Edward's hugs.

"Gem, where is he?" Troy looked around. "It's killing me!"

"Lee can't wait to meet Jasper," Zack expressed as he let go of Edward. "It's all he's talked about this morning."

"And believe me when I tell you, no one wishes he was here for you to meet more than I do," Edward expressed.

"What?" Troy was beside himself.

"He's not here with you?" Zack asked, equally wide eyed.

"Gem," Troy took hold of Edward's arms, "what happened?"

Edward spotted a white Maybach pulling up outside the doors of the hotel. "Listen, I checked you guys in already and paid for a junior suite for you right across the hall from mine. Go get your room key."

"You didn't have to do that, Edward," Zack expressed.

"I wanted to. Here comes the rest of the squadron," Edward gestured toward the front entrance with his chin where Emmett, Nasir, Seth and Garrett strode into the hotel. "I hope to only have to go over this once."

"I'll get our key, Lee," Zack gave his partner a quick squeeze on his shoulder and headed for the front desk.

Emmett and Nasir were dressed identically again in black V neck tee shirts, snug jeans and sandals. Seth wore tight, low rise, black leather pants that did not quite meet the bottom of the custom black denim vest that fit him like a second skin. He wore nothing beneath the vest and his Emirati gold necklace was clearly visible on the dark skin of his bare chest. Garrett was dressed very casually in the snug and torn jeans that Seth loved on him and a red tee shirt. Garrett, like Emmett, carried a small bag for their trip today.

"There he is!" Seth bounced in Edward's direction. Edward smiled and opened his arms, as did Seth, and they nearly connected. Seth was stopped short by a big, strong hand in his vest at the back of his neck. Emmett pulled Seth out of the way and grabbed Edward in both arms.

"Hey!" Seth was not amused.

"Oof!" Edward was lifted off his feet and the air crushed from his lungs in Emmett's exuberant bear hug. "Em," Edward managed to squeak out.

"Eddie," Emmett's face was pressed into Edward's neck, "I am so happy for you guys!"

"Hi, Seth," Troy distracted Seth for a moment with his hug.

"Hi, Leo," Seth always had a warm embrace for Edward's little brother.

"Come here, Leo," Nasir had a kiss and hug for the smaller man as Seth let him go.

"Alright, get the fuck out of my way, Mary!" Seth demanded with a sharp elbow to Emmett's ribs. Edward managed to suck in a breath as Emmett put him back down on his feet.

Seth's skills did not abandon him. He was just about to wrap his arms around Edward's torso when he paused. Alarm painted his face. "Something's wrong! Where is he?" Seth looked around.

"Edward," Nasir stepped past Seth to embrace his other groomsman.

"Hi, Nasir," Edward was happy to receive the tight, but not life threatening, hug from Nasir.

"Garrett," Troy reached for Seth's husband.

"Hello, Leo," Garrett smiled and kissed the shorter man on his temple as they embraced.

"Here's our key, Lee," Zack handed it to Troy as Garrett let him go. Troy took it as his partner and Garrett reached for each other. Zack closed his eyes and relaxed into the older man's warm hug. There was something about Garrett that always gave Zack a sense of peace and well being.

"Leo!" Emmett snatched the small half Pacific Islander up off his feet. Troy giggled as Emmett kissed him on his face and neck.

"C'mere, Zack," Emmett put Troy down as Garrett let go of Zack. He pulled the taller young man into the same hug he had just given Troy.

"Edward, what is going on?" Seth demanded.

"Okay. Hey, Garrett," Edward paused to give Garrett a hug.

"Edward, welcome back," Garrett patted Edward on his back. "We all could not be more delighted."

"Thank you," Edward expressed.

"Edward has something to tell us," Seth stated.

"Hey, where's Jasper?" Emmett asked and looked around.

"Will everyone shut up! Edward, tell us," Seth pressed.

"Okay," Edward started again. "First, this trip to the Cascades was the best trip of my entire life, bar none. I was with the man of my dreams and we are both very much in love."

"But?" Seth narrowed his eyes.

"Eddie, where is he?" Emmett asked again, his voice full of quiet, but deep concern.

"Jasper is on a plane, headed back to New York. I just dropped him off at the airport," Edward revealed.

"Oh, no!" Emmett was shocked.

"But, why?" Seth was unable to divine the reason.

"What happened, Gem?" Troy was clearly as concerned as everyone else.

"My original plan was to get back to Covington last night. We were going to spend the night tonight and tomorrow here at the hotel, but I wanted to have at least one night with him in my house. I wanted it to feel like it was our house, and more importantly, our bed. But then we were having such a good time on the trip that I didn't want to rush. We could have made it all the way to Covington last night, but we would have been exhausted, so instead we decided to take our time and spend the night in Langley on Whidbey Island, and then meet you all here today. Everything was great, better than great," Edward relayed.

"And then?" Seth prompted.

"And then he got a call from New York. A couple of his best friends got bashed on the way home from a bar. One's injuries are pretty life threatening," Edward informed.

"Oh, dear," Garrett put his arm around Seth without even thinking about it.

"Shit," Troy looked up at his lover's face. Zack understood and pulled Troy close.

"Goddamn it!" Emmett gave the loudest expression. His large, gentle hands curled into powerful weapons. "They got gay bashed? That makes me so fucking mad!"

"Yeah. One made it out with cuts and a broken arm I guess, but the other one's assailant, or assailants, had at least one baseball bat," Edward continued.

"Jesus," Emmett shook his head.

"Such things happen in this country?" Nasir could not imagine it.

"All too often, my friend," Garrett confirmed with a hand on his shoulder. "All too often."

"I wish we had all been there," Nasir was nearly as angry as his partner.

"We might all be in the hospital," Garrett shuddered at the thought of his small husband in such harm's way.

"Some, if not all of them, would be too," Emmett made his point with a fist.

"Or worse," Nasir added with a chilling finality.

"So Jasper is on his way home," Seth brought the point back.

"The guy is at least stable this morning, but he's still in ICU," Edward relayed. "Jasper feels terrible that he's going to miss your wedding, guys," he put his hands on both Emmett and Nasir's arms.

"I hate that too, but it's perfectly understandable. What fucking timing," Emmett shook his head.

"Poor Jasper. He must be very worried," Nasir surmised.

"He really is," Edward confirmed.

"It's just as well he's flying back," Seth nodded to himself. "He would have been too preoccupied to enjoy himself today and tomorrow."

"I thought that too," Edward confessed. "Though I sure as shit hated to see him get on that plane, for any reason. I even waited around until his jet took off. I felt a little pathetic doing that," he admitted.

"I would have done the same thing," Troy stated.

"I think we all would have, given the circumstances," Garrett agreed.

"Okay, we'll all call him later, or better yet, text him our well wishes," Seth took hold of Edward's arm. "Edward, I'm so sorry this happened. You know we all wanted him with us nearly as much as you did."

"I know that, Seth," Edward nodded. "And you know he would have been here if he could."

"But now it's boys day," Seth worked to lighten the mood. "It is very important for the grooms to have a day to relax with the rest of their men, and to that end, the limo will be here any minute," he looked up at Emmett. "And we're still missing one of your groomsmen. Where is your brother?"

"Let's find out," Emmett walked over to the nearest house phone which connected to the hotel operator the moment he picked up the handset. "Carson McCarty's room please," Emmett instructed. The call went through and was picked up on only the second ring.

"Good morning," Carson answered.

"Good morning. Why aren't you in the lobby?" Emmett asked.

"I could sit around the lobby and wait or I could sit in my room with my beautiful wife. Did I mention she doesn't have much on?" Carson explained.

"Get dressed and get down here," Emmett commanded.

"I am dressed. I'm ready to go. I'll be down in less than two," Carson said and hung up.

"Well?" Seth put his hands on his hips as Emmett returned to the group.

"He's on his way. I think his naked wife was distracting him," Emmett informed.

"Ha! I hope he stocked up. It's all about the boys from here," Seth laughed.

"Why don't you guys take your luggage up," Edward suggested to Troy and Zack.

"Oh, yeah. Good idea," Troy agreed.

"Fifth floor, left out of the elevator, on the left, down at the end," Edward informed.

"Be quick!" Seth urged.

"We will. C'mon, Zacky!" Troy dashed off and Zack was right behind.

None of them were paying attention to the front entrance and did not see the monster pull up. The driver informed the valet who he was here to pick up and the valet walked into the lobby in search of them. He found a group of five men standing together, not nearly enough for the size of the limousine outside, but figured it was worth a try.

"Excuse me," the uniformed valet recognized the men for whom he had parked an Audi and a Maybach, "might any of you be waiting for a big limousine?"

"Not only might we, we are," Seth confirmed. "And we'll be right out."

"Very good, sir," the man headed back to his post outside.

"Hey, there they are," Carson strode up to them with a small backpack slung casually over one shoulder and a big smile. He wore jeans that were not nearly snug enough on his tall frame and a white tee shirt.

"Carson!" Seth bounced over to him.

"Hi, Seth," Carson laughed and hugged the smaller man back. "Mornin', guys," he said to the others as Seth let him go. "Garrett," Carson offered his hand to Seth's husband.

"Carson," Garrett shook the man's hand.

"Car, you remember Edward," Emmett gestured.

"Of course I do. Hey, Edward," Carson smiled as he offered his hand.

"Hi, Carson. Nice to see you again. I forgot how much you look like Emmett," Edward expressed as they shook.

"Naw, I got all the looks," Carson gave a grin.

"Yeah you did," Emmett was flip.

"Okay, Seth. I got my bathing suit and my flip flops as commanded. Where to?" Carson asked.

"The limo is right outside," Seth turned and led the group out to the drive.

The same super stretch Cadillac Escalade that had taken them to the airport on their trip to Telluride, was waiting for them, where it's big bulk just barely fit under the Sorrento porte cochere.

"Good morning," Bobby greeted from beside the monster limo.

"I like how you roll, Seth," Carson approved.

"Morning, Bobby," Nasir greeted.

"Where to today, sirs?" Bobby opened the rear doors.

"Do not look at me, Bobby," Nasir raised his hands. "I know nothing."

"Neither do I," Emmett shook his head. Then everyone looked at Garrett.

"I actually don't know either. Apart from what credit card we used, it's all a mystery," Garrett stated.

"But not for much longer," Seth smiled.

"The last time I was in a big limo like this with the guys, we had girls with big tits and little clothes waiting for us inside," Carson relayed. "I suppose that's too much to hope for."

"It is with this group," Bobby knew his customers well.

"I hope you got your fill of tits upstairs, 'cause there's none on this tour," Seth declared as he climbed up into the limo. Garrett, Emmett, Nasir and Carson followed.

"Hey, wait for us!" Troy yelled as he and Zack ran out of the hotel.

"We're not going anywhere without you two," Edward patted their backs as they rushed into the limo. He followed last and Bobby closed the door behind him.

Inside the big limo Troy took a seat beside, who he thought out of the corner of his eye, was Emmett. Only to discover that Emmett was sitting across from him.

"Oh!" Troy looked to the man on his right who so much resembled who he at first thought it was.

"Guys," Emmett chuckled, "this is my brother, Carson. These are Edward's little brothers."

"Troy, but call me Leo," Troy offered his hand.

"Leo," Carson smiled as they shook.

"And this is my guy, Zack," Leo finished the introductions.

"Zack," Carson shook his hand as well.

"Hi," was all the shy Zack had to say.

Seth crawled forward and leaned into the forward compartment as Bobby put the giant vehicle in gear and pulled away from the hotel. "Bobby, do you know where Banya is?"

"Address?" Bobby asked.

"Two seventeen North Ninth," Seth answered.

"I'll have you there in ten," Bobby assured.

"Thank you," Seth patted the man's shoulder and returned to his place beside Garrett where his husband promptly draped an arm down over him as Seth leaned back. Garrett lightly and casually ran his fingertips along the gap between Seth's vest and pants, the gap that turned him on so. As his fingers encountered Seth's happy trail, Garrett's jeans grew tighter, and he didn't care who saw it.

"I've been on a lot of outings with the boys before, but I never once needed to bring a bathing suit," Carson expressed.

"How many of those outings were with all gay men?" Seth asked.

"Am I the only straight guy?" Carson looked around.

"Sonja's right, Car. You are slow," Emmett teased.

"Okay, I'm a little nervous now," Carson nodded. "Be gentle with me guys."

"Oh, very," Seth spoke in his most seductive voice.

"Hey, Em, Nasir, thanks for that bath stuff, by the way," Carson expressed.

"You are very welcome," Nasir smiled.

"Mutti took Connor last night so we could have some adult time. The bath stuff was all a little fru-fruy, but Sonja liked it. I don't know if we're pregnant this morning, but we very well could be, and that's all I'm sayin'," Carson relayed.

"I am glad you put it to good use," Nasir gave a nod.

"Sonja is your wife?" Troy asked.

"My very beautiful wife," Carson confirmed.

"And who's Mutti?" Troy followed up.

"Oh, sorry," Carson laughed.

"I know. Me too, Car," Emmett agreed. "I sometimes forget that not everyone understands the German words we throw in 'cause we're so used to them. Mutti is mom in German. You guys will meet everyone at the dinner tonight."

"I am so used to it, I do not really notice it anymore either," Nasir thought out loud. "Unless it is a word I do not know."

True to his word, Bobby pulled to a stop at their destination on North 9th Avenue within ten minutes. Edward, who was in last and nearest the door, did not wait for Bobby to dash around the car. He opened the rear passenger door and slid out. The group all piled out behind him. The huge BAИYA sign dominated the facade of the building.

"Three o'clock in front of Venik," Seth pointed.

"I'll be there," Bobby shut the rear door behind Seth. "You guys have a good time," he gave a wave and headed back around the car.

"Why are the letters funny?" Troy asked as he, like everyone else, looked up at the big blue neon sign.

"It's Russian, I do believe," Garrett observed.

"It is. I think I read about this place," Nasir recalled. "It is a bathhouse. Are we going to bathe together?" he could not keep the smile from his face.

"What?" Carson did not like the sound of that.

"We're going to do so much more than that," Seth pushed through them and walked to the the double glass doors. There was a large sign indicating that the facility was closed for a private event from eleven AM to two PM, but they were not locked. Seth pulled open one of the doors and led the way into the pale marble and blonde wood lobby.

"Um, what?" Carson repeated.

"Take it easy," Emmett put his hand on his brother's back to steer him in through the door.

"Good morning," Seth greeted the young lady at the counter. "We are the McCarty group."

"Ah, welcome," she spoke with a distinct Russian accent. "I am Yelena. You are nine? Everyone is here?" Yelena emerged from behind her small reception desk and walked to the front doors to lock them.

"Okay, things are looking up," Carson commented quietly as he admired the way the large chested young woman filled out her tight white uniform tee shirt and gray sweat pants.

"We're all here, but turns out we're only eight," Seth answered her question.

"Please, come this way," Yelena smiled and escorted them deeper into the facility. Through another set of doors was a large open space with two pools and two hot tubs. On the left side of the facility was the ladies locker room and showers, and on the the right, the men's.

"Everyone has bathing suit and something for your feet?" Yelena asked.

"Yes, ma'am," Seth answered.

"Here is locker room," Yelena gestured to the heavy wooden door with the word MУЖЧИНЫ on it. Below was the smaller and very helpful translation of MEN, for those who could not read Russian.

"Please change now," Yelena directed. "There is complimentary robe for everyone, included in your package. There is key in lockers which you can attach to wrist or ankle on bungee. Please remove all jewelry. All metal heat up very quickly in parilka. Can burn you. I will tell Ivan you are here. He will meet you in lobby for tea."

"C'mon, boys," Seth led the way into the locker room while Yelena walked away.

Like any locker room, a long bench ran the length of lockers on both sides of the room leading to the showers. Each locker had a key in the lock with a short, green, elastic cord.

"Time to get naked!" Seth called as he bounced to a locker. Garrett smiled after his little husband as Seth unbuttoned his form fitting vest. Watching Seth taking off his clothes was one of Garrett's very favorite things.

"This is just like the locker room back at our high school, huh, Em?" Carson mused as he set his backpack down on the bench and stripped his shirt off over his head.

"I suppose. A lot smaller," Emmett offered as he and Nasir stripped their shirts off, side by side.

"That and the percentage of other guys in here checking me out is a little higher," Carson snickered.

"I doubt it," Emmett stated. But, of course, he could only speak for himself. He did not need to look at his partner to know that Nasir was indeed checking out his brother. As were others. Garrett had any natural gay man's curiosity. Seth had seen everything Carson had years ago and was not impressed by the man's large muscles. Emmett's even bigger muscles had never enticed him. That was not what attracted Garrett either, certainly not since he met Seth. Troy openly watched the straight man while his partner looked on surreptitiously through his bangs. Nasir had never so much as seen Carson shirtless before and had no intention of averting his eyes as his hot partner's, damn near as hot little brother disrobed. Only Edward was as disinterested as Emmett. He spared Carson but a single glance, and no more.

Edward's entire attention was absorbed in his small bag as he sat with it on the bench. The small bag that he had forgotten held two swimsuits and two pairs of flip flops. Edward picked up Jasper's denim print, low rise brief bathing suit and held it in his hands. He felt his cock twitch in his pants as he brought to mind the sight of Jasper in these. "I love you, Jas. I wish you were still here with me," he spoke so quietly that no one heard. Seth, however, was nearby, and while he did not hear Edward's words, nothing escaped his watchful eyes.

Seth leaned over Edward from behind and wound his arms around Edward's neck. "We love you," Seth whispered into Edward's ear and then kissed his temple. Edward made no response as he placed Jasper's swimsuit back in the bag, nor did Seth require one. Edward pulled out his own bathing suit and Seth stepped back to his husband in front of their shared locker.

"Okay, gay boys, here we go!" Carson made a performance of unbuttoning and unzipping his jeans, only to reveal the loose boxers he wore beneath.

"No, no, no," Seth shook his head. "It's done like this, Carson," he unbuttoned and unzipped his tight leather pants. All eyes were on him as he paused dramatically with his trimmed, black pubes exposed, before he pulled them down his thighs and freed his generous sex.

"Alright!" Troy called.

"Go, Sweetie," Emmett encouraged.

"I am not doin' that!" Carson turned away and sat down on the bench to finish taking off his jeans. "I didn't really wanna see that thing again either," he added to himself. Carson folded his jeans and placed them in the locker on top of his sneakers. Emmett, Nasir, Garrett, Troy and Zack wasted no time in getting naked as well. For Troy and Zack in particular, with recent memories of high school locker rooms, getting naked among this group was a real pleasure. Carson alone was self conscious. He picked up one of the plush terrycloth bathhouse robes with the BAИYA logo on it, and put it on, though he did not tie it closed. He faced his open locker and only then did he slip his boxers down, and trade them for his long board shorts. He tied the long waist strings in a bow and closed the robe as he turned around.

Carson quickly discovered that his bathing suit was by far the largest. Emmett, Nasir, Seth and Garrett all had snug, small, squarecut suits in different colors. The white on Nasir and red on Seth very much complimented their skin tones. Emmett was in a light blue that closely matched his eyes, while Garrett was in pale green. All four of their suits left little to the imagination. Zack had a similar suit with a white and blue pattern that partly camouflaged the outline of his sex. Troy's bathing suit was black with a generous pouch in front, but with a waistband that plunged low to expose his dark, trimmed pubes. It also cupped his buttocks most invitingly. Edward's suit was a safari style cargo trunk with an ample pouch to hold all the Cullen he packed into it. They were an Army green, which was similar to the color of his uniform, and what attracted him to them in the first place. It brought a smile to Edward's face as he recalled Jasper's gentle caress of his pouch the last time he wore this swimsuit. This, again, threatened an erection, and he quickly put it from his mind.

"I love this suit on you, Lee," Zack ran one hand appreciatively over Troy's butt and the fingertips of his other hand through the shorter man's pubes.

"I love to wear it for you," Troy looked up lovingly into his partner's eyes.

"Car, jewelry," Emmett reminded as he and Nasir placed their rings with his heavy gold cuff in their locker.

"Oh," Carson looked down at his ring finger. "I can't remember the last time I took this off," he slipped it off his finger with some difficulty and placed it in his locker before he closed the door and extracted the key. Seth handed Garrett each of his rings and then held aside his hair while he turned around. Garrett carefully removed Seth's necklace and placed it with their rings and his watch. He then closed their locker and took the key.

Everyone donned their robes as Carson had done and Seth led the way back toward the lobby.

"That," Seth paused to poke the straight man in the chest with his finger, "was cheating, by the way."

Carson only chuckled. He deliberately hung back to walk with his brother and Nasir. He had witnessed the exchange between Troy and Zack and was somewhat taken aback.

"You said those two are Edward's brothers?" Carson took care to be subtle as he pointed and spoke quietly to Emmett. "They seem a little too close, if you know what I mean."

"Car, it's way too long of a story to get into, but Leo and Zack are a couple, and they are as close to being Edward's little brothers as anyone could possibly be," Emmett explained.

"Oh, okay," Carson began to get it.

"I mean, look at Leo. You didn't really think he was related to them, did you?" Emmett asked.

"I thought he might be adopted," Carson stated.

"Well, he was. Someday we'll tell you that story. When we have the time. It's a long one," Emmett put a hand on his little brother's shoulder as they all walked back out to the lobby.

"This is McCarty group," a man with an even heavier Russian accent greeted them. He wore the male version of the bathhouse uniform, a gray logo bearing tee shirt and matching sweats. "I am Ivan. Welcome. Sit down and relax. We have some tea while I go over your program."

"Yes, please, Ivan, and thank you," Seth pulled Garrett to a sofa where, just like in the limo, he could nestle under an arm. Ivan, with Yelena's assistance, poured ginger mint tea into paper cups from a proper samovar.

"We drink to our health," Ivan lifted his own cup once everyone had one.

"Oh, this is good," Emmett commented after his first sip.

"I like it," Nasir agreed.

"We have full program for you," Ivan picked up a paper from the desk to which Yelena had returned. "It is vivid circulatory experience with numerous mental and physical benefits. We start first in the parilka. Is a brick and cedar dry sauna. Is two hundred fifteen degrees inside. We recommend eight to ten minutes in parilka, no more. Is very, very hot."

"I should say," Garrett agreed.

"Yeah, that's fuckin' hot," Carson chimed in.

"You listen to body. It tell you when to get out. If too hot, get out right away. No metal in parilka. Metal get too hot, too quick. Will burn. Everyone leave all metal in lockers?" Ivan confirmed. "The sweat from heat of parilka will cleanse pores. Then you will have light whipping with oak boughs. This create stringent tannins that bring blood to the surface."

"Say what?" Troy asked.

"You will like," Ivan assured. "Then you make plunge in cold pool. Then to warm salt water pool. Then is time for individual full body massage, followed by salt scrub, and full body honey massage."

"Honey?" Edward was not sure he heard that right.

"I read about this," Seth informed. "We'll have skin like silk."

"That's what I want," Carson was flip.

"You'll have skin like your son's bottom," Seth teased.

"Perfect," Carson nodded.

"After massage, group go to turkish steam room. Then we have glass of cold mineral water to refresh. Then you shower. We have perfumed soap waiting for you. Now we go," Ivan set his crumpled paper cup on the desk and headed back into the bathhouse. The group rose to follow him, done with their tea or not.

Ivan led them past the pools to the very heart of the bathhouse. A long corridor extended beyond with walls and floors of earth toned slate. There was a large, heavy, solid wood door on the right with rows of hooks to hang their robes on both sides of it. Another man, dressed exactly as Ivan, but younger, waited with a cart laden with towels and a box.

"Here is Sergei. He has your towels and complimentary chapkas," Ivan gestured.

"Our what?" Emmett asked.

"Chapka," Ivan plucked one from the box. "You wear to protect head from intense heat of parilka," he fluffed the gray, felt hood out and slipped it over Emmett's head. In true Russian form, it had a large red star on the forehead.

"Ha!" Seth laughed. "You look so funny, Emmy!" he clapped his hands. Emmett reached to the box for another one and put it on Seth's head. Then he did the same for Nasir.

"Do we have to wear these?" Carson asked as he was handed his.

"I was just about to ask that," Edward agreed.

"I think they're hot!" Troy put one on Zack.

"We strongly recommend you," Ivan stated.

"When in Russia," Garrett commented as Emmett slipped one onto his head as well. Edward and Carson gave in and pulled theirs on as well. Everyone then slipped off their robes and hung them up.

"Take towel to sit on. Bench will be too hot," Ivan assisted Sergei in passing them out. "We will come for you after ten minutes time, if you are still inside."

"Welcome. Please enjoy," Sergei smiled pleasantly as he opened the door for them.

The intense and incredible heat hit them powerfully in the face as they walked in.

"God damn!" Emmett exclaimed.

"Fuck!" Carson added.

"Holy shit!" Seth too was amazed at the heat. "It's an Inipi!"

"A what, Sweetness?" Garrett put a hand on Seth's back.

"Inipi," Seth repeated. "It means sweat lodge in my language, but it's also the name of the sweat lodge ceremony. I wish I had my chanunpa now," he laid his towel on the wood bench. Garrett placed his right beside.

"And what is that?" Edward pressed.

"These ceremonies were traditionally led by a Two Spirit holy man, and he would smoke and pass around his sacred pipe, called a channunpa," Seth explained. "I know. You guys come over early this afternoon and we'll do that," he climbed onto the bench and sat beside Garrett, Indian style

"Smoke a pipe?" Edward fixated on that point.

"I mean that I will conduct a pipe ceremony to bless Emmy and Nasir's union. No one is more qualified than I am. No one we know, anyway. And yes it involves taking a puff from the pipe. And you will all do it. And I don't want to hear about it," Seth dictated. "The pipe is at the very heart of my people's culture. Nothing is more sacred. The smoke becomes our words. It goes out and touches everything. It becomes a part of all that is. It links the Earth and the sky. It links The People with the Grandfather Spirit."

Troy sat between Edward and Zack. He turned to his older brother and wapped him on the upper arm. "Yeah!"

Everyone laughed at this, including Seth.

"Did anyone else notice how much hotter it got in here when Seth started talking?" Emmett teased.

"Did I say pipe ceremony? I meant War Dance!" Seth threatened.

"I've been in burning buildings that weren't this hot," Carson was dripping with sweat, as they all were.

"This is not hot," Nasir dismissed.

"Oh, come on, Nasi! It doesn't get this hot in your country," Emmett protested.

"Well, not quite," Nasir admitted.

"Jesus, no wonder you had such a hard time on the snowmobiles," Carson remembered Christmas.

"Peace be upon him," Nasir recited.

"I love when he does that," Carson chuckled.

"Ya know," Emmett looked his partner over carefully. He ran a finger down Nasir's very wet chest. "You are even more sexy, if that's possible, with your hair slicked down like this."

"Thank you," Nasir smiled.

"Take your hand off him, please," Carson requested. "Save the gay for your bedroom."

"Oh, sorry, did I fail to mention the gay sex demonstration and workshop scheduled to begin just right now?" Seth teased.

"See you guys back at the hotel," Carson stood up.

"He's just teasing," Edward assured.

"But I wish I wasn't," Seth wagged his eyebrows at his husband and ran a finger up Garrett's sweaty, hairy thigh.

"The guys at the station wouldn't believe me if I told them," Carson sat back down with a sigh.

Their ten minutes passed surprisingly quickly while they chatted, though the heat was getting to all of them by the time Ivan opened the door and walked in.

"Ten minutes time. Time to come out!" Ivan commanded. This made Seth giggle.

"I know," Emmett agreed.

"Yeah, we're already out," Troy was on the same page.

"C'mon, jokesters," Edward stood and picked up his towel. He led the way out into the corridor that now felt surprisingly cool. "Oh, man. Is it ever nice out here," Edward dropped his towel into the bin that waited outside the door. He took off his felt hood and hung it on the hook with his robe. The group filed out behind him and did the same.

"Now, come out to pool area," Ivan herded.

Out by one of the pools waited Sergei with another associate dressed exactly the same as he and Ivan were. This second man was Japanese, and only a little taller than Troy. They each had a huge wooden bucket by their feet and the butt end of tree branches stuck up out of them. Ivan paused while his sweat dripping guests lined up.

"Now Sergei and Ryo will whip you with the oak boughs. Then you will have plunge in cool pool. Two at a time, please," Ivan stepped back.

"Grooms first!" Seth declared and pushed Emmett forward with his hands on Emmett's sweat slick lower back.

"C'mon, Babe," Emmett agreed and motioned for Nasir to come forward with him. Sergei and Ryo pulled thick bunches of oak branches out of the buckets with each fist. The leaves streamed the water they were stored in. Emmett and Nasir both closed their eyes as the attendants set about whipping them.

"This enhance blood circulation, kill bacteria and even prevent premature aging of skin," Ivan informed the others as Emmett and Nasir were smacked with the wet leaves and water went everywhere. Sergei and Ryo beat them on their chests and legs, but spent the most time on their backs. This went on for only a minute. Emmett and Nasir opened their eyes as their tormentors stepped back.

"Now, you must jump into pool!" Ivan pointed.

"C'mon, Nasi!" Emmett grabbed his partner's hand, and together they jumped into the cool pool. Both men went under with a great splash.

But they were not prepared for just how cool the cool pool was. Shock was abundantly clear on both their faces as they broke the surface.

"Hoh, fuck!" Emmett shouted.

"Ya, Allah!" Nasir shouted with him.

"The cool pool is kept at fifty five degrees, same as Sound. Is good for you," Ivan assured. "Two more. Come!"

"Looks like we're paired up, Carson. Let's show 'em we can take it," Edward gestured.

"Yeah, this is how a real man does it!" Carson was macho as he stepped forward with Edward.

"You'll see," Emmett and Nasir both moved to the ladder. Emmett stood aside to let his partner climb out first as his brother and Edward were whipped.

"After cool pool you go to salt water pool," Ivan directed. "Is eighty five degrees and same salinity as Sound."

"I like the sound of that," Nasir did not intend to make a pun as he hugged himself and walked over to the second pool with Emmett. Nasir's white bathing suit in particular, now wet, was all but see through. After the very cold water, he and Emmett were both less than impressive.

"Okay, this is better," Emmett took his partner's hand as they stepped down together into the water of the salt pool. This one was not for plunging and they were able to descend into it by stairs.

"Go ahead, boys," Garrett smiled at Troy and Zack as Carson and Edward jumped into the shock pool.

"Okay, wow," Edward commented as he brushed water out of his eyes, after he and Carson surfaced.

"This ain't nothin'. The lake at home is about like this in the early part of the season," Carson then leaned toward Edward. "Pussy."

Edward leaned back. "Breeder."

Carson laughed and splashed water in Edward's face.

"Oh, you wanna play, straight boy?" Edward jumped on Carson and dunked him under. Carson found this fun and when he came up and wiped the water out of his eyes, he saw Edward climbing up the ladder. It was just too tempting. He reached for Edward's suit, with the intention of pulling it down, but stopped himself at the last moment. He would not have hesitated with one of his friends at home, but all of them were straight. Carson did not want to pull a gay man's bathing suit down, particularly as he was the only straight man in this group. He knew there was no way he would ever hear the end of that. Carson just followed Edward up the ladder and over to the warm salt pool.

Seth and Garrett finally stepped up to be beaten when Troy and Zack jumped into the cold water.

"Oh, fuck! This is cold, Lee," Zack brushed his wet mop out of his face. "Are you okay?" he was instantly concerned that his lover might catch a chill. In answer Troy moved to Zack and clung to his thin frame. Zack immediately wrapped his arms around his lover.

"Okay, let's get out," Troy said after only a brief moment. Zack let Troy go and waited for him to climb out to follow.

"C'mon in, boys. The water's fine, over here," Emmett called as Troy and Zack rushed over.

Seth and Garrett finally jumped into the cold pool hand in hand.

"Holy crap!" Seth surfaced and, like his husband, Troy and Zack, had to brush his hair out of his face.

"Bracing, isn't it," Garrett remained his calm self.

"Even I might have shrunk up, this water is so cold," Seth swam toward the ladder.

"Then let's do get out," Garrett followed. Seth scampered and Garrett walked over and down into the salt water pool.

"Oh, this is more like it," Seth immersed himself. "Say, this is not quite as warm as a hot tub, but I wonder if we need to bother with bathing suits in here."

"Oh, yes we do," Carson was quick.

"You must wear bathing suit in salt water pool," Ivan dictated.

"You're spoiling my fun, Ivan," Seth told him.

"You relax as long as you like in warm pool," Ivan ignored Seth's comment. "Another few minutes," he amended. "Then time for massage. Rooms are all being made ready now."

"I am so ready for a nice massage," Carson enthused.

Ivan helped Sergei and Ryo carry their heavy buckets of oak branch whips away and left them to soak for a few minutes. All too soon he was back.

"Now, gentlemen, if you please," Ivan gestured. Seth led the way as they emerged from the warm salt pool and walked over to where all their flip flops had been left by the cold pool to step into them.

"If you would also reclaim your robes," Ivan led back into the long slate corridor where their robes yet hung on the hooks. "I have had chapkas put in locker room. You will want to remove you bathing suit for massage. We will provide towel," Ivan instructed as the group donned their robes again. "Some of you are couples, is that so?" Ivan asked.

"We are," Seth confirmed.

"I'm not," Carson raised his hand.

"We have rooms with two beds, if you would like couples massage," Ivan informed.

"I would like that," Emmett smiled at Nasir.

"I would also," Nasir agreed.

"So would I," Garrett took Seth's hand.

The staff of BAИYA all filed out into the corridor at that moment. All the men were dressed in the tight, gray uniform tee shirt with the BAИYA logo on the left chest. Some wore gray sweatpants like Ivan, while others opted for gray, fleece shorts.

"All staff is licensed massage therapist. This is Jeff, one of our most senior therapists. You have met Sergei, Yelena and Ryo. This is Bogdan, Keith, Yuri and Olga," Ivan finished.

"Okay, well, all I know for sure is we want a man," Emmett looked to Nasir who nodded his confirmation.

"As do we all," Seth added.

"Not me," Carson shook his head. "I don't want a guy touchin' me."

"You are in luck, my friend. Olga gives best honey massage of all of us," Ivan beamed and gestured. Olga was a short and somewhat burly woman, easily twice Carson's age in a black uniform tee shirt.

"Is Yelena available?" Carson smiled at the buxom young woman.

"She is. Yelena will take you," Ivan motioned her forward.

"Come with me," Yelena hooked a finger at Carson.

"Well, alright," Carson readily complied.

"Who now are couples?" Ivan pressed.

"All the rest of us, actually," Seth answered. "His partner just couldn't make it today," he pointed at Edward.

Edward smiled gratefully at Seth and relished the sound of it acknowledged out loud. He recognized with a strong sense of pride and feeling of completion that, at long last, he wasn't single anymore. Edward's mind, body and soul belonged to Jasper. He knew it. Everyone did. In truth, it always had, the difference now was that Jasper belonged to him as well. They were together and everyone knew it. Edward was gripped again by the desire to shout it from the rooftop.

"Jeff, Sergei," Ivan called them forward.

"Okay, guys," Emmett and Nasir followed them.

"Yuri, Ryo," Ivan called the next two.

"You boys go ahead," Garrett instructed Troy and Zack. Yuri and Ryo were both cute, young men and Garrett didn't much like the idea of either of them placing their hands on Seth.

"Keith, you will take this guest. Bogdan and I take you two," Ivan smiled at Seth and Garrett. "This way."

The treatment rooms were all warm and dimly lit. An abundance of lavender aromatherapy candles burned in each. Three of the rooms were set up with twin black leather beds. They were set some distance apart so that the massage therapists could work on all sides. Jeff and Sergei both had dirty blonde hair and both looked to be about as muscular as Carson in their uniform tee shirts. Of the two of them, Jeff looked to be just a little bigger and had that college jock vibe about him, much like Emmett did.

"Here we go guys," Jeff shut the door behind the four of them. "We're going to start with you guys on your backs. Off with the robes and bathing suits, please," Jeff directed. He and Sergei both held up white towels that had been waiting on the beds.

"You don't want us to rinse off the salt water?" Emmett asked as he and Nasir shed their robes.

"We're going to wipe you down, and we'll be doing a salt scrub anyway," Jeff informed from behind the towel he held up. Emmett and Nasir gave each other a shrug and slipped their suits off. They tossed them on the chairs and laid down on the tables. Emmett took Jeff's table, while Nasir laid down for Sergei.

"There we are," Jeff and Sergei both noticed when their client's laid on the beds with the back of their heads resting in the face cradle. Jeff and Sergei then placed the towels over Emmett and Nasir's midsections.

"So you guys are a couple?" Jeff asked.

"We are," Nasir confirmed.

"That's cool," Jeff, who was clearly straight himself, was a professional and not phased in any way.

"We're getting married tomorrow, in fact," Emmett added as he smiled at his partner. "This party here today is for us."

"Oh, wow. Very nice. You guys can get married in this state?" Jeff asked.

"Well, no," Emmett answered. "Washington won't recognize it, but that won't stop us."

"Good for you guys. I think anybody who wants to get married, should be able to," Jeff stated.

"How about you run for Governor?" Emmett suggested.

"Yeah, that's what I'll do," Jeff laughed. "How about we have some soothing sounds in the background? You guys like waves, rain, thunderstorm, wind chimes, Loons?"

"What do you think, Nasi?" Emmett asked.

"Wind chimes I think," Nasir answered.

"Wind chimes it is," Jeff touched the button to fill the room with the sound of a gentle breeze blowing through wooden wind chimes. "Okay, now you guys just relax. We're gonna start with your feet, then move up to your thighs and hands. Then we'll have you flip over to do your backs."

"Sounds good," Emmett agreed.

"But first, we'll wipe you down," Jeff took two small, dripping wet towels from a warmer and tossed one to Sergei. Emmett and Nasir could not help but relax as the warm, wet cloths passed over their skin. The men were thorough, even wiping into the small area covered by their towels. In the end, on their front sides, only their cocks and balls remained salty. Jeff and Sergei then poured oil into their hands, rubbed them together and set to their work.

Ryo and Yuri were the youngest members of the bathhouse staff and were only a couple of years older than their customers. Ryo worked on Troy, while the taller Yuri worked on the taller Zack.

"That feels really good," Troy endorsed as Ryo's strong fingers massaged first one foot and then the other.

"It should," Ryo smiled.

"Yeah, it does," Zack agreed.

"Glad you like it," Yuri ran his oiled knuckles through the soles of Zack's feet again. Like the rest of his body, Zack's feet were long and thin.

"Where are you guys from?" Troy asked. He was as outgoing and friendly as ever and his partner was only too happy to let him do it for them both.

"I am from Osaka, Japan," Ryo answered as he switched to Troy's other foot again.

"You hardly have any accent at all," Troy observed.

"I came to Seattle with my family when I was ten," Ryo informed.

"I am from the city of the Czars," Yuri answered with a strong accent. "St. Petersburg, Russia."

"Wow, you're both from pretty far away," Troy commented.

"What about you?" Ryo asked. "I can't quite place you."

"I'm half Hawaiian," Troy answered.

"You were blessed with beautiful skin, my friend," Ryo was speaking clinically in his admiration, as he ran his oiled hands up Troy's legs. This gained Ryo a sharp look from Zack, though it went unnoticed. Zack was accustomed to people complimenting his hot and exotic partner, and, usually, it only gave him a sense of pride. Zack was acutely aware that now, however, Troy was naked, save for a small towel, and the other man was running his hands up Troy's thighs. His attention was only partially taken by Yuri's hands as they traveled similarly up his own legs.

"This is my first massage," Troy admitted, ever chatty.

"Yeah?" Ryo smiled.

"How about you, my friend?" Yuri prompted.

"Me too," Zack answered.

"We make extra good for you," Yuri assured. Zack was not entirely sure what his Russian masseur meant by that as the slick, gripping hands travelled further up his thighs. Both therapists stepped around to the sides of the tables as they worked their way up the younger men's bodies. Troy and Zack were covered, though not by much, and Ryo only knew to stop, as his hand traveled up under Troy's towel, when fingertips touched scrotum. Yuri's thumbs brushed Zack's nuts at almost the same time. Troy and Zack both had a natural response.

"Um," Troy began tentatively.

"Don't worry about that. Perfectly natural," Ryo noticed the bulge in Troy's towel and tried to put him at ease.

"I think work on hands now," Yuri moved his hands from Zack's inner right thigh to his right hand.

In Carson's room, Yelena was forced to adjust her client's towel as the big McCarty pole grew to it's full height and lifted his towel in the process. Such a fine specimen as this Yelena rarely had on her massage table, but she still took great care not to touch his nuts a second time.

"Sorry about that," Carson offered with a smirk. He wasn't sorry at all and quite proud of what he had.

"No problem. Happens all the time," Yelena assured as she picked up Carson's hand. Like her colleagues in the other rooms, she wanted to move well away from her customer's crotch.

"I'll bet it does," Carson could well imagine it.

Edward too was at full mast and Keith was forced to adjust his towel. Neither Edward nor his masseur acknowledged it verbally in any way and though Keith did not know it, the response of his customer's body had nothing to do with him. Edward had chosen the sound of the thunderstorm as background for his massage. He had always enjoyed a good thunderstorm. A nap with Remy during an afternoon storm was a particularly relaxing experience. His thoughts then, as inevitably they would, turned to Jasper. Jasper did not like a thunderstorm at all, and did not mind admitting it. Edward remembered crawling into Jasper's bed when they were kids to hold him and make him feel safe. Jasper had never gotten over his fear of a strong storm and had told Edward so when they talked about only a few days ago. Edward thought about how much more he would want to hold Jasper now. He would comfort Jasper. He would keep him safe, no matter what, from anything. It was the thought of laying naked with Jasper in each other's arms that gave Edward his throbbing erection. Of course, he wasn't about to tell his masseur that.

Ivan and Bogdan, the Russian brothers who owned the bathhouse, worked skillfully on Garrett and Seth. And it would take more than an accidental and casual brush of fingertips on their balls to make them lose control of their bodies.

"I do enjoy a good massage," Garrett gave a sigh as Ivan worked every bone in his hand.

"I do too," Seth agreed. "You guys are really good. We'll be back."

"Is good to hear," Bogdan, a slightly younger, yet slightly taller version of Ivan smiled.

"I speak to you, I think," Ivan looked over at Seth. "You make arrangement? You are Clearwater?"

"I did and I am. Seth Clearwater. The two big guys," Seth began to explain. Then he realized that they had three big men in their group today. "I mean the two big guys who are together, are getting married tomorrow. They're our best friends."

"This is just one of the things we wanted to do for them," Garrett added.

"Is very nice thing you do," Ivan stated. "Time for you turn over now," he directed. Ivan and Bogdan lifted Garrett and Seth's towels for them to do so and then laid them back down across their buttocks. Seth and Garrett settled their faces into the cradles.

"Seth, please move hair to one side," Bogdan bid.

"Oh, sorry," Seth reached back to pull his hair off to the right side of his head.

"I do not want to touch nice hair with my oily hands," Bogdan applied more to his hands and rubbed them together. "You have very beautiful hair for man. Like woman."

"He has very beautiful hair like a Native American," Garrett stated.

"You are native man? American Indian?" Ivan asked as he applied his hands to Garrett's back.

"American Indian is a common misnomer," Garrett explained. "Indians, you see, are from India, not the Americas, hence Native American."

"Yes, we see," Bogdan dug his fingers into Seth's muscles.

"I'm Lakota Sioux, ehyuh," Seth moaned as Bogdan's fingers worked into him. Garrett smiled at the floor in his face cradle. And at this, his cock gave a twitch. If there was anything in his world as erotic as the sight of Seth Clearwater naked, it was the sound of Seth's moans.

"Oh, yeah," Seth very much enjoyed his masseur's strong and skilled hands. He was not at all aware of how sexual his entreaties sounded in his husband's ears. Garrett was forced to shift his body as his bone grew beneath him.

Troy too was a loud moaner. As his and Zack's masseurs worked down their bodies, the towels were temporarily shifted up to their lower backs. Zack could only imagine that the source of his partner's moans was Ryo working Troy's glutes, just the way Yuri was working his. Ryo's hands on his ass did nothing to make Troy's erection subside. Zack knew how much his lover liked to have his butt worked on, just as much as he liked to do it to Troy himself. Zack's own hard on was more from listening to his partner and picturing Troy's perfect little ass in his own hands, than from Yuri's hands on him.

Emmett and Nasir were nearly asleep when Jeff and Sergei instructed them to turn over again.

"Damn, you guys are good. I am so relaxed," Emmett flipped over again while Jeff held his towel.

"I am too," Nasir agreed.

"Then we're doing a good job," Jeff poured more oil into his hands. "We're gonna work on your fronts now, your chests, more on your shoulders and necks, and then finally your faces."

"Sounds good," Emmett agreed and took a deep breath. Jeff and Sergei walked to the head of Emmett and Nasir's tables and leaned over them as they applied their hands to Emmett and Nasir's pecs.

"You guys are both in really great shape," Jeff was secure enough in himself to offer this compliment to the two gay men.

"Thank you," Emmett smiled as the man's hands dug into his chest. Thumbs in particular ran down over abs until they encountered towel. The towels were shifted again to cover only their pubes and manhood. Emmett and Nasir both finally had the natural response to fingers moving over their nipples. They both grew sizable lumps under their towels as they stiffened to half mast, but neither of them got any harder than that.

It was not so easy in Carson or Troy and Zack's rooms. Yelena, Ryo and Yuri each had to take great care working around the hardness that lay on their customer's abdomens. All erections finally subsided when the therapists moved to their customer's faces. This was as relaxing as anything could be and soon all the men were pacified.

"Now," Ivan patted Garrett's shoulders with both hands. "You flip over again for salt scrub."

"Honey, Bogdan might need to turn me over. I turned to jello a while back," Seth informed.

"As did I, Sweetness," Garrett agreed. Ivan and Bogdan lifted the towels for them to turn over onto their stomachs again.

"You will have vigorous scrub on back, arms and legs," Ivan narrated as he scooped the sea salt, shea butter and herb mixture onto Garrett's back. "Then we do light scrub on sensitive front parts," Ivan set about scrubbing Garrett's back. "Scrub exfoliate and provide hydrating oils."

Garrett could well believe the exfoliation claim, as he was sure the vigorous scrub was removing a layer of skin. He heard Seth grunt and became instantly concerned. "Gently with him, please," Garrett cautioned. Ivan and Bogdan scrubbed their backs, arms, legs and feet before they took warm, wet towels to wipe them down. It was a much more gentle process when they yet again rolled onto their backs to have their chests and abdomens scrubbed. Again they were wiped down to remove the salt and dead skin.

"There, now. Can't you feel your skin glow?" Yelena asked Carson as she gently wiped his big feet.

"I'm gonna have nicer skin than my wife," Carson commented as he lifted his head to look down at himself.

"My husband has beautiful skin. I do this for him at least once a month," Yelena informed.

"If I get back with nicer skin than my wife's, the very first thing she'll make me do is book one of these for her," Carson surmised.

"I promise we won't even talk about you," Yelena teased. "Much."

"Someplace else," Carson finished his thought.

"Okay, guys," Jeff finished wiping down Emmett. "Time for the honey massage. If you thought the oil was a little sensual, you're gonna love this. You guys wanna start on your backs like you are, or flip over again?"

"I don't know if I want anything more sensual from you, Jeff," Emmett lifted his head to look at him. "No offense."

"None taken," Jeff laughed. "Just focus on the benefits. The honey will moisturize, clean and nourish your skin. It also helps increase elasticity, not that you guys need to worry about that. Honey unblocks and stimulates the lymph system. It improves the thermal regulation of the skin. And it feels really good too," Jeff went on as he took two tubes from their warmer and handed one to Sergei.

"We're gonna glow tomorrow, Babe," Emmett smiled over at his partner.

"I always glow when you are near me," Nasir smiled back.

"Aww! You guys are so sweet! Ready? Here we go," Jeff poured the warm, thin, liquid honey onto Emmett's chest. Then he applied his hands. Sergei did the same to Nasir's trimmed, but still hairy chest. It felt like liquid silk being spread across their chests with gentle, massaging fingers. As those fingers moved over their pecs and nipples, the sensations went straight to their dicks. And it only got worse as their masseurs worked down their abdomens.

"Ohhh," Seth cooed as Bogdan smoothed the silky mixture across his already smooth chest. Garrett gave a sigh as Ivan did the same to him. Soon Bogdan was forced to make multiple adjustments to Seth's towel as the big python slowly woke. And the sounds Seth made, gave Garrett the same problem again.

All Edward could think about, as Keith spread the liquid honey trough the hair on his chest, abdomen and legs, was how much he wanted to share this with Jasper. Or better yet, do this to Jasper.

Troy had to bite his lip to keep himself from moaning as Ryo smoothed the honey into his chest, abdomen and thighs.

Soon it was time for everyone to flip for the last time. It was far easier for the therapists to do their work when their customers were laying on their erections. After the massage was finished the men were in just the right position for the finishing touch. Round, flat, smooth basalt stones were placed along their spines from neck to tail bone. The therapists then left them alone to relax.

After a few minutes Ivan returned to Seth and Garrett's room. "Sorry to disturb. Is two o'clock. You are welcome to relax and take your time."

"No," Seth lifted his face from the cradle to look at their host. "We have a schedule."

"Is time," Ivan called out the door to his staff. His brother quickly joined him in removing the still very warm stones from their backs.

Seth and Garrett were the first in their robes and in the corridor, bathing suits in hand, their skin glowing from the honey residue. Ivan and Bogdan remained in the room, cleaning up.

"Wow, Gar, I thought I had nice skin before," Seth ran a hand up his arm.

"You do," Garrett confirmed with a hand on Seth's back.

"It's even nicer now. Rub me," Seth bid.

"I can't turn down an offer like that," Garrett lifted the back of Seth's robe to rub his bare butt.

"Oh, now I wish we had time to go back inside for a minute or two. Alone, I mean," Seth much appreciated his husband's attention. "Where is everyone, anyway?"

"Still being roused, I suspect," Garrett let the back of Seth's robe fall back into place.

"We have a schedule, boys!" Seth called as he marched down the corridor and banged on doors. "Gotta keep moving!"

One by one and two by two the rest of the group emerged in their robes and like Seth and Garrett, with swimsuits in hand. Everyone looked as rejuvenated as Seth and Garrett felt.

"Wow, was this ever fantastic, Sweetie," Emmett put an arm around his best friend.

"Yes," Nasir agreed. "Thank you, Sethy, Garrett," he put a hand on Garrett's shoulder.

"It's not over yet," Seth looked up at the much bigger man with a grin.

"What else could there possibly be?" Emmett asked.

"Now is time for Turkish steam room," Ivan provided the answer. "Come back this way. We go through locker room," Ivan led the way and the group followed. They walked past the pools and through the heavy door into the men's locker room.

"Leave bathing suits here," Ivan directed. "Can hang robes there," he pointed to a row of hooks just outside another heavy, solid wood door set between the locker room and the showers.

"What do we wear in the steam room?" Carson did not get it.

"No good to wear bathing suit or anything in steam room. Clothes constrict the body. This why separate male and female steam rooms. Take towel to sit on," Ivan gestured to the stack that had been placed on the end of the nearest bench. "You stay not more than fifteen minutes. I will come get you. Again, listen to body. It will tell you when to get out if fifteen minutes too long. Steam will leach out all toxins released by massage. Enjoy," Ivan bid and walked out of the locker room.

"Do we have to be naked?" Carson asked as he looked at his brother. Emmett looked from Carson, to Nasir, to Seth.

"You heard the man. No bathing suits in the Turkish steam room," Seth shed his robe and reached to hang it on a hook. Garrett, Nasir, Troy, Zack and Edward did the same.

"When in Turkey," Garrett smiled.

"What the hell, Car," Emmett shed his robe. Nasir took it and hung it up for him.

"C'mon, boys," Seth grabbed a towel and threw it over his shoulder. He pulled open the heavy door with obvious effort and walked into the thick steam.

"Ah, fuck," Carson finally shed his robe as well. Nasir was only too happy to take it from him and hang it next to his and Emmett's. Everyone, save Seth, was finally treated to the view of the naked straight man. The similarities between Emmett and his younger brother were even more obvious when they stood naked together. Carson was not quite as tall and not quite as muscular, and their faces were, while obviously brothers, clearly distinguishable. Otherwise, however, they were nearly identical. And no one enjoyed the view more than Nasir. Nasir held the door for everyone else as they picked up a towel and followed Seth.

Within the steam room the air was hot and thick with swirling steam. The entire room, floor, ceiling, walls and bench were all of the same tiles imported from Turkey.

"What is that smell?" Carson asked as he placed his towel next to his brother. He felt that was the safest place to be. "Is that lavender?" Carson recognized the scent from his bath last night with his wife.

"Lavender steam," Seth swirled an arm through it. "It's lovely."

Carson sat down beside Emmett and almost instantly placed his hands protectively over his sex. "I so can not believe I am taking a naked steam with seven gay guys," he shook his head.

"Get over it, Car," Emmett instructed.

"Yeah, we don't bite," Troy placed his towel beside Carson. "Unless you like that."

Carson looked the small man over as he took a seat beside him. And the beanpole thin guy who followed. "And some of you naked gay guys look like kids! It's creepin' me out!"

"Come here, Carson," Nasir, on the other side of Emmett, opened his arms invitingly.

"Now you're creepin' me out too!" Carson protested.

"Okay, everybody leave my brother alone, please," Emmett put a hand on his partner's thigh.

"Carson, you must be naked with the other firemen at your station reasonably frequently," Seth pointed out.

"In the locker room and showers, just about every day," Carson confirmed. "Sometimes, several times a day, but all of them are straight."

"How do you know?" Seth challenged.

"Because I know all their wives. I've met all their kids," Carson stated.

"Okay, I'll admit that's a pretty good indication," Seth agreed.

"It's just gonna take me a little bit to get used to this," Carson gave a sigh.

"Really, it's no big deal, Car. We're all just sitting here," Emmett tried to reassure his little brother.

"I know that. I'm okay," Carson assured himself. He took a deep breath, as best as he was able in the thick steam, and finally stopped covering himself as he moved his hands to his thighs.

"There. Relaxed?" Seth asked.

"I wouldn't go so far as to say relaxed," Carson cocked his head.

"After that incredible massage?" Nasir asked.

"Parts of that massage were very relaxing. Though, there were some parts of me, for a while there, that were not at all relaxed, and that's all I'm sayin'," Carson relayed.

"Oh my God, I know!" Troy agreed. "When Ryo was doing the honey on me, I was so tempted to throw those guys out and lock the door so I could have some alone time with my Zacky," he ran a hand up Zack's silky smooth and sweaty thigh. Zack just smiled warmly at his partner.

"I know," Carson got into the spirit. "I think I'm still leakin'," he snickered at his joke.

But no one else did.

"Um, would you like us to check for you?" Troy could not help himself.

"No!" Carson laughed.

"Lee," Zack felt that went just a little too far.

"You're like chum in a tank full of sharks, Carson," Seth summed up the situation. "Oh! I'm gonna call you that!" he laughed and clapped his hands.

"You walked right into that, Car," Emmett stated.

"I really did," Carson admitted. "You guys don't know how badly I want my wife right now," he gripped his knees.

"For those who have not yet met her, Sonja is a very pretty girl," Emmett informed.

"She is," Nasir agreed.

"My wife is way beyond pretty. You guys haven't seen the best parts. She has the most beautiful titties," Carson mimicked how he liked to ever so gently fondle his wife.

"Keep goin', Car. Give yourself a hard on," Emmett encouraged.

"Oh, yeah. That would be bad right now," Carson moved his hands to cover himself. "I gotta think about something else. C'mere, Seth."

Seth started to get up and just as quickly Garrett's hand on his shoulder pulled him back down.

"When are you gonna learn?" Emmett looked at his brother and shook his head.

"Yes, let's change the subject please," Carson let go of himself again.

"So," Troy started. He looked to Carson. "Straight guys don't shave their nuts?"

"What?" Carson asked and then burst out laughing as a memory came to him.

"Lee," Zack tried to reign his little partner in again.

"Is that what you were talking about all those years ago?" Carson asked Seth.

"What did you think I was talking about?" Seth returned.

"I don't think I've heard this story," Garrett stated.

"I know I would like to," Nasir smiled.

"It was that time Seth traumatized me in the shower," Carson began.

"I just asked him if he needed help shaving," Seth gave a shrug.

"I shaved before I got in the shower," Carson informed.

"Not there," Seth clarified.

"It only took you how many years to get that?" Emmett looked at his brother.

"Straight guys don't shave their nuts, Em," Carson protested. And then in spite of himself he looked at the two men on his left, Emmett and Nasir, and then the two men on his right, Troy and Zack, to check. "Do all you guys shave?"

When affirmative answers went around the steam room, Carson followed up. "I know I'm really gonna regret asking this, but why do gay guys shave their balls?"

"I didn't for a long time," Edward offered. "But once I did, I'll never go back."

"Does Jasper shave his nuts?" Seth asked.

"What do you think?" Edward countered.

"I can't imagine that he wouldn't," Seth surmised with a hand on his chin.

"And my confirmation that he does is the last we shall ever speak of it," Edward was final.

"C'mon, Edward. Tell us all about Jasper's balls," Seth teased. "Are they big? Can you fit only one in your mouth at a time? We all want to know."

"Not all of us," Carson spoke up.

"I don't kiss and tell, Seth, and you know that," Edward stated.

"So, if someone gave the answer, I missed it," Carson brought them back to the point.

"About Jasper's balls?" Seth asked.

"No!" Carson exclaimed. "Why you guys shave down there."

"Carson, if you could feel the difference between a tongue on your nuts with a thick layer of hair to diminish the sensation," Seth explained, "and then experience what that is like when they are bare, you would never let hair grow there again."

"Sonja does tend to stay away from there," Carson shared. "She sucked on my balls once, but got hairs in her mouth and didn't like it."

"I don't wanna know that," Emmett made a face and covered his eyes with a hand.

"Be quiet, Emmy. We're helping him," Seth shushed. "Now imagine, Carson, if they were smooth, with not a hair on them, your wife might be more inclined to play with them, and that would be better for both of you."

"Okay, you have a point, but how do you guys even do that?" Carson wondered. "The thought of taking a razor to my nuts scares the crap outta me!"

"That's what I thought at first too," Edward laughed.

"They are surprisingly easy to shave, Car. You just shave 'em. It's easy," Emmett gave his brother a shrug. "Of course, it's even easier for another person to do it. I shave Nasi and he shaves me."

"And I so did not wanna know that!" it was Carson's turn to close his eyes and make a face. "God, thanks for burning that image into my already scarred brain," Carson shook his head. He looked around at all the open faces that watched him. "Do all of you shave each other?"

"Yep," Troy confirmed.

"Of course we do," Seth rubbed his husband's thigh.

Edward laughed. "Jasper and I prepared ourselves for this trip, but I would dearly love to shave his for him, and I can't wait for that day to come."

"Wait till the guys at the station hear about this!" Carson laughed himself. "Just me and gay guys, naked in the steam room. We talked about the usual stuff, like shaving each other's nuts."

"Nasi is real good at it, Car, if you want some help," Emmett could not help himself. He gave his wide eyed partner a wink.

"Ah, no, thank you. I love my brother-in-law, but I don't want his help," Carson covered himself with his hands yet again.

"He's real gentle. It's pleasant, actually. I always get hard," Emmett teased.

"Oh my God, Em," Carson moved one hand to cover his eyes. "That sounds so nice. I'm really happy for you."

The big, heavy, solid wood door swung open at that moment.

"Men," Ivan appeared. "Is fifteen minutes time. Time to come out!"

Seth giggled again.

"Oh, they're out, Ivan. They're way out," Carson stood and picked up his towel.

Ivan held the door for them as the group filed out into the locker room. Bogdan stood with large glasses of water and a lemon slice over ice.

"Mineral water to refresh?" Bogdan asked as they emerged. Carson alone went for his robe first. The group all reached for a tall glass of the the ice water as they were very thirsty. Carson was the last to reach for one.

"What?" Carson asked. Emmett, Nasir, Seth, Garrett, Edward, Troy and Zack all stood naked with their glass of ice water and stared at him.

"Ah, shit," Carson got it. "Hold this," he thrust his glass at Nasir. Carson took the robe back off and hung it back up. He stepped back to Nasir's side, put his arm up on Nasir's shoulder, and leaned on him as Nasir handed his glass back. Carson adopted a casual pose as he leaned on his brother-in-law, who did not mind one bit. He stood on one foot and set his other foot on his toes while he and all the gay men stood naked together, gulping their cold water.

"Now you may take shower at your leisure. We have scented soap and shampoo ready for you," Ivan gestured toward the showers. "Staff will be waiting to see you out when you are dressed," he finished and headed for the door to follow his brother.

Several men gave a loud, satisfied sigh when they finished their water. Bogdan had left the tray and they all placed their glasses on it.

"I guess you can shower with us now," Seth spoke to Carson.

"Ha!" Carson laughed. "You've been trying to get me into the shower with you for years, Seth!"

"I always get my way," Seth gave a sigh. He took Garrett's hand and headed into the showers.

Like the rest of the place, the shower room was atypical. There were no stalls. There were no simple shower heads protruding from the walls. In four wide bays, around the more or less overall round room, huge double rain shower heads hung from the ceiling. A big triangular handle hung from a long chain that, when pulled, put the rain shower on for two minutes. On a glass block shelf waited exclusive BAИYA shampoo, conditioner and shower gel, all in lavender. It was immediately obvious that the three couples wanted to shower together.

"Okay if I shower with you, Edward?" Carson asked.

"Be my guest," Edward gave a shrug. There were two big rain shower heads in each bay, spaced about three feet apart.

"You're the only one not here with someone, but for some reason, other than my brother, I feel the least threatened by you," Carson confessed as he followed Edward to their bay.

"It's because I don't feel the need to tease you mercilessly," Edward pulled the lever to his shower and the water rained down on him. And just as Carson did the same, Edward leaned over and ran his hand over Carson's butt cheek.

"Ho!" the straight man jumped right out of the raining water and headed directly for the safety of his brother. "Em, Nasir, I'm gonna shower with you guys."

"Please do," Nasir smiled as he stepped over to Emmett. Carson walked right into the raining water that Nasir had just relinquished. Emmett and Nasir smiled knowingly at each other as Carson began to wash his hair right next to them. It was easy for the three of them to step in and out of the water as they needed, to rinse shampoo, conditioner and soap.

Each couple took great pleasure in washing each other's backs, and fronts. If Carson noticed, he didn't say anything. One by one they finished and began to file out. Carson, Emmett and Nasir walked by Seth and Garrett, in that order, and as he passed, Seth grabbed Nasir's arm to hold him back. Nasir let Seth pull him down close.

"You're welcome," Seth spoke quietly into Nasir's ear. Nasir smiled broadly, took Seth's face in his hands, and gave him a kiss on his lips in gratitude. He had no need of words. Nasir then followed in his partner's footsteps out into the locker room. It was then Garrett's turn.

"You," Garrett took Seth's chin in a gentle hand, "are very clever, my beautiful little husband," he then gave Seth a loving kiss on his lips.

"Careful, Gar," Seth warned as he ran his hands up Garrett's wet ribs.

"Careful of what?" Garrett asked with a smile. He was pretty sure he knew the answer.

"If you go on kissing me like that, you're gonna wake him up," Seth finished.

"Hmm," Garrett took Seth in his arms and pulled the smaller man to him. He leaned down and covered Seth's mouth with his own. Seth closed his eyes as Garrett's tongue slipped into his mouth. Garrett could feel the big python expand between his legs even as his own snake grew against Seth's abdomen.

In the locker room Carson finished drying himself off and dropped his towel on the floor. "Okay gay boys, anyone mind if I put my clothes on now? Fuck, what a stupid question. Puttin' 'em on anyway!"

Emmett toweled himself off next to Nasir who did the same. Troy and Zack took their time in gently drying each other.

"Seth and Garrett are gonna need a few minutes," Edward said as he walked out into the locker room and picked up a towel.

"Oh, they aren't really. Not here," Carson could not believe it. Then he saw it and he couldn't unsee it, no matter how long or hard he may try. Seth and Garrett, though they really wanted to, chose not to make the others wait for them while Garrett held Seth up by his hips and sucked him dry. They walked out of the showers and were both not quite fully hard, but nearly.

"Holy shit!" Carson did not have the wit to keep quiet. "I did not wanna see that! Jesus, how big does that thing get? And please, God," he squeezed his eyes shut, "don't answer that!"

"I don't know," Troy spoke from where he and Zack held each other wrapped in a single towel, "but now I'm curious."

"Anyone who would like to see, is welcome to," Seth smiled.

"No, they're not," Garrett placed a towel over Seth's shoulders and turned him toward their locker. He leaned close to Seth to whisper to into his ear. "How big this gets," he grabbed the heavily hanging, dark, uncut cock with his hand and was most pleased by Seth's gasp, "is my business."

"Everybody, be sure to put your jewelry back on," Emmett called as he and Nasir slipped on their rings. Nasir gave Emmett a nudge as Emmett slipped on his gold cuff and gestured with his chin to the lockers opposite them. Emmett gave his partner a smile as they both saw that, once they dropped their towel and stepped apart, both Troy and Zack had erections. They quickly pulled their shorts on in an attempt to conceal the fact that they were hard. Emmett and Nasir turned away before Troy and Zack had a chance to see that they had been seen.

Every one of them pulled out their wallets as they finished dressing with the intention of tipping their massage therapists generously.

"Hey, Gem, how much should we tip?" Troy asked his older brother as Edward and Zack picked up their bags.

"If your massages were anything like mine, a lot. Put your wallets away. I got this for you," Edward smiled. He took a younger man under each arm and led them out of the locker room.

"You don't have to do that, Gem," Troy protested.

"You are college kids, both living on your salary, Leo. Save your money for stuff you guys need. If I can't help out my little brothers, who can I help?" Edward smiled at them both.

"Thanks, Edward," Zack was a good bit taller than his partner, but still not quite Edward's height. He leaned up to give Edward a kiss on his cheek. Edward grabbed Zack's head and pulled him close to give him a kiss back on his temple and then leaned down to do the same to Troy.

In the lobby everyone pressed wads of cash into their therapists hands, save Troy and Zack while Edward did it for them. Everyone shook Ivan's hand at the door with assurances of what a wonderful experience it was and that they would all be back.

"What now, Sweetie?" Emmett asked as the group emerged onto the sidewalk.

"Where's the limo?" Edward asked.

"The limo won't be here for a while yet. Follow me," Seth set off. "I know everyone must be hungry. We can grab a nibble and a cocktail over here at Venik. And I want all of you to be at the penthouse by five for my pipe ceremony. You too Carson, if you can manage it. You're one of us now."

"I sure as shit smell like one of you," Carson laughed. "Lavender soap, lavender shampoo. Even lavender in the steam room. No one would believe I'm straight. I can be there, Seth, but I don't know if I can get the ladies ready in time," he finally answered the question.

"This should be a fun little place. They have all kinds of house infused vodkas. One drink they do here is called a corpse reviver," Seth informed. "Its some kind of vodka, lemon juice, lillet blanc, cointreau and a splash of absinthe."

"I'll not be having that," Garrett shook his head.

"Me either, Garrett," Nasir walked between his partner and his best friend.

"Sure you don't wanna get back on that horse? A teeny weeny hair of the dog that bit you?" Seth asked.

"That dog has very big teeth," Nasir stated.

"And bites very hard," Garrett added as he pulled opened the door to the Venik lounge. He waited while his husband led the group inside and then followed.